Doping scandal rocks Godolphin as seven more horses fail tests

Trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was last month banned for eight years after confessing to administering anabolic steroids to 15 horses in his care and, subsequently, the British Horseracing Authority tested samples from the other 391 horses at Godolphin’s Newmarket base.

The latest seven to fail drugs tests were all also under the care of the disgraced Al Zarooni.

During the inquiry, Moulton Paddocks was under lockdown on the orders of Sheik Mohammed, however the BHA are now prepared to grant 46-year-old trainer Saeed bin Suroor a licence to reopen.

“We welcome the news that Saeed bin Suroor’s horses tested negative and this clears the way for him to take charge of Moulton Paddocks,” said chief executive Paul Bittar.

Godolphin has until Thursday to request B samples be analysed, but all seven horses currently face a six-month ban from racing.